Movie notes: ‘Detour’ on the slab

The 1945 film noir ‘Detour’ is being screened tonight by the Slab Cinema folks.

The folks at Slab Cinema have an interesting movie tonight, not because it’s particularly good, but because it’s bad in a good way.

Huh?

That’s the impression I got after reading Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” essay on “Detour,” the 1945 low-budget, B-movie that’s considered to be an early example of film noir. As Ebert makes clear, he considers it a great movie because of its flaws (one-note acting, technical errors that give away its cheapo status, etc.), not despite them.

Tom Neal stars as Al, a loser piano player who hitchhikes with a guy who dies of a heart attack. Al decides to assume the dead man’s identity, but runs afoul of Vera ( Ann Savage), a quintessential, tough-talking, alcoholic femme fatale who entangles him in a get-rich scheme. Things go downhill quickly from there, which is an understatement.

Showtime is 8 p.m. at the slab across from La Tuna icehouse. Th eopening act is “Remember,” a short film by San Antonio filmmaker Hank Haynes. Lawn chairs and/or blankets are recommended. Donations are appreciated.

(NOTE: If you’re looking for a classic, campy, so-bad-it’s-good flick, check out “Glen Or Glenda” on the slab April 21. The 1953 film about transvestism from the notoriously awful director Ed Wood Jr. is reportedly even worse than “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” which is saying something).